Apparatus and method for reinforcing tobacco web



March 29, 1966 s, CLAUSEN 3,242,926

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REINFORGING TOBACCO WEB Filed Aug. 25, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

108 3 INVENTOR.

A SIGURD CLAUSEN BY 110 114 2M {44 ATTORNEY March 29, 1966 s. CLAUSENAPPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REINFORCING TOBACCO WEB Filed Aug. 25, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

SIGURD GLAUSEN ATTORNEY March 29, 1966 s. CLAUSEN APPARATUS AND METHODFOR REINFORCING TOBACCO WEB Filed Aug. 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @w s\xx (3% 3% V QNN INVENTOR. SIGURD CLAUSEN ATTORNEY March 29, 1966 s, cusE 3,242,926

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REINFORCING TOBACCO WEB Filed Aug. 25, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 4.

FIG. 6

INVENTOR. J60 SIGURD CLAUSEN BY #0" z 4 m5 M f%../

A TTORNEY March 29, 19%55 5,, (:LAUSEN $242,926

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REINFGRCING TQBACGQ WEB Filed Aug. 25, 1958 58haeizs-heat 5 FIG, 4A

W f 'ww w QUIT:

256 u k I mummy: SiGURD GLAUSEN Unitcd States Patent 3,242,926 APPARATUSAND METHOD FOR REINFORCING TOBACCO WEB 'SigurdClausen, Brooklyn, N.Y.,assiguor to American 'Machine & Fouudryflompany, acorporation of NewJersey .Filed Aug. .25, 1958, Ser. N0. 756,793

' 26 Claims. (Cl. 131-20) This invention relates to the machinemanufacture of cigars and more particularly to reinforcing the head endof cigars.

With both naturaland processed leaf, it is frequently r ecessary or desirable to provide a reinforcing strip at the head end of the cigar toguard the cigar against the teeth and saliva of the smoker. The practicehas developed recently of applying a reinforcing strip to the 'head endof the cigar binder during manufacture so that the strip will beenwrapped about the head end of the cigar. Such reinforcing strips maybe made of various materials both smokable and non-smokable in and ofthemselves. As for example, cellophane, Mylar, tinfoil and processedtobacco material are among suitable materials.

It is an object of this invention to provide anew method of soconstructinga reinforced cigar.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device which mayaccomplish the novel method as well as other methods that may bepreferred by some.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a devicethat may deliver such a reinforcing strip to the outside of a cigarbinder so that upon rolling the reinforced strip will be on the outsideof the cigar bunch.

At the same time, it is an objectof the invention that the reinforcingstrip, if desired, can be delivered to the inside of the binder whereupon rolling it will be concealed by the binder.

It is an object of theinvention to provide a method for securing such astrip to the outside of the binder so that its proper position may bemaintained during the rolling I operation and further that thereinforcing strip itself may secure the cigar binder about the cigarcharge.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device .fordelivering a reinforcing strip from an endless source, severingpredetermined portions from said source and positioning such portions onthe rolling table in a suitable place, and providing adhesive means toretain it in place on the binder. It is a further object of theinvention to provide a method and device for delivering such a strip ofreinforcing material readily adaptable without the modelling of parts tovarious shapes and sizes of cigars.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and a device asset forth above readily attachable to conventional cigar machines andoperable therefrom and in timed relation thereto.

It is a particular object of the invention to devise a means forsevering a predetermined length of reinforcing strip and applying a daubof adhesive to one side of said strip so that the strip may then beadhesively secured to the outside of a binder and thereby maintained inproper relative position during the rolling operation.

3,242,926 Pa nted ,Ma 9 19 1 a binder reinforcing strip feed inconjunction with the strip applicator andtheir actuating mechanisms;

FIG. 1A is apartial sectional end elevation illustrating the lost motioncontrol of the strip applicator actuating mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the machine;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the binder reinforcing strip and applicator;

FIG. ,4 is, a plan viewpartly in section, illustrating the stripapplicator in conjunction, with a cigar bunch rolling table to whichthe, reinforcing strip as well as the binder is delivered prior to thebunch rolling operation;

FIG. 4A is a modification of a portion of FIG. 4 showing the reinforcingstrip pasted to the upper surface of the binder;

FIG. 5 is a partial end elevation of the reinforcing strip applicatorinconjunction with a strip cutoff mechanism and paste applying device;

FIG. 5A is a modification of a portion of FIG. 5 showing a pasteapplicator applying paste to the upper surface of the reinforcing strip;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the cutoff and paster actuating linkage;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cigar bunch with a reinforcing strip wound aboutthe outside head end portion of the binder; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional end elevation of the rolling tableillustrating the transfer of the binder onto a reinforcing strip priorto the bunch rolling operation.

With reference to the drawings, the reinforcing strip web W is pulledfrom a reel R by means of a pair of intermittently driven feed rollers10 and12 which advance the leading end of the web onto an intermittentlyoscillating conveyor and applicator platform 14. The upper feed roller10 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 16 provided with the customaryeccentric end extension, by means of which shaft 16 is supported insuitable downwardly spring-urged bearing blocks 18 slidably mounted invertical slots in a bearing bracket 20. One of the eccentric ends of theupper feed roller shaft 16 carries a trip finger 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) bymeans of which the roller carrying portion of shaft 16, and consequentlythe upper feed roller 10, may be raised out of contact with the lowerfeed roller 12 to permit threading of the web before starting themachine. Bearing bracket is secured to a supporting plate 24 which, bymeans of suitable slot 26 (FIG. 4) and screws 28, is adjustably mountedon a suitable bracket 30 and a supporting bar 32. The bracket 30 ismounted on a suitable lug 34 which is integral with and projects from ar 7' gearing housing 36 which is part of the cigar machine.

The supporting bar 32 is secured to the top end of a pair of suitableuprights 38 rigidly mounted on the bed plate 40 of the machine.

The reel R is supported by means of two conical flanges 42 and 44.Flange 42 is provided with a sleeve 46 (FIG.

,1) rotatably supported on a stationary stud shaft 48 sefree end of athreaded stud 58 held in a threaded bore in. bracket extension 50. Stud58 is equipped with a suitable knob 60 provided for the purpose ofturning said stud to effect a lateral adjustment of the conical flanges42 and 44 and therewith a lateral adjustment of the reel R andconsequently of the web W.

To prevent overrunning of the reel R during the intermittent feed motionapplied upon the web W, the conical flange 42 is provided with anannular groove 62 which engages with a brake band 64, one end of whichis an- 3 chored to the free end of a stud 66, while the other end issecured to a stud 68. Stud 66 is slidably held in a suitable bore ofbearing bracket 51) while stud 68 is slidabiy supported in a suitablebore in the free end of a short arm of a bell crank lever 70 which isloosely mounted on a stud shaft 72 held by hearing bracket 50. To thefree end of the long arm of the bell crank lever '70, by means of a pin73, is pivotally attached one end of a link 74, while the other end ofsaid link is provided with a slot 76 which engages with a pin 78projecting from and held by an arm 80 mounted on a horizontal shaft 32supported by suitable bearings of bracket 20. The free end of arm 80carries a stud shaft 84 which rotatably supports a web control roller86.

To assure smooth operation and prevent any jerky motion beingtransmitted to the brake linkage system during the intermittent feedaction, a roller balance spring 88 is provided. The upper end of thisspring in anchored to the pin 73 while the lower end of the spring isattached to the pin 78 on the roller carrying arm 86. It is evident thatin case of a breakage of web W, the weight of the roller 86 forces saidlinkage downward and tightens the brake band 64 in the groove 62 of theconical flange 42, while during normal feeding operation, when theroller is partly supportedby the web W, the brake band receives onlysuflicient tension to effect a desired drag on the reel R. A suitablemicro switch (not shown) may also be provided to effect a stoppage ofthe entire machine in case the web W breaks or runs out duringoperation.

As mentioned heretofore, the reinforcing strip W is fed andintermittently advanced by means of the upper and lower feed rollers and12, respectively. The upper feed roller 10 is driven by means of a gear90 (FIG. 1) which is loosely and rotatably supported by the upper feedroller shaft 16 and secured to the hub of said feed roller. Gear 91)meshes with a gear 92 mounted on the lower feed roll-er shaft 94 towhich the lower feed roller 12 is secured. Shaft 94 is rotatablysupported in bearings of bracket 20 and carries on one end aconventional onedirectional clutch 96 which, in turn, is connected to agear 98 loosely mounted on the shaft 94. Gear 98 meshes with and isoscillated by a gear segment 100 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) pivotally supportedby a stud shaft 102 held by a suitable bearing bracket 104 secured tothe bottom side of the supporting plate 24. Integral with and extendingfrom the hub of gear segment 100 is an arm 106 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which, bymeans of an adjustable rod 168 is connected to a crank pin 110adjustably secured in a slot 112 of a cam 114 mounted on a cam shaft 116driven from the main drive of the machine (not shown). By adjusting thecrank pin 110 towards or away from the center of the cam, the length ofthe strip feed can be varied to any desired length. From the drivingarrangement of the feed rollers described above, it is evident thatalthough the gear segment 1% imparts oscillating motion to the gear 98,the one-directional clutch 96 permits only one-way intermittent motionto be transmitted to the feed roller drive shaft 94.

The leading end of the web W'is fed by the rollers 10 and 12 between anupper guide plate 117 and a lower web Supporting plate 118 onto thehollow transfer and applicator platform 14. Platform 14 by means ofscrews 12s (FIGS. 3 and 4) is adjustably secured to an enlongated slot121 of a flange 122 which is integral with a hollow arm 124 looselymounted on a hollow shaft 126. Shaft 126 isrotatably supported bybearing bracket 128 secured to the supporting plate 24. The bottom ofthe hollow platform 14 is provided with a slot 130 which registers witha hole 132 (FIG. 4) in the flange 122 of the hollow arm 124 thusproviding air passage from arm 124 into platform 14. The hollow shaft126 is also provided with two suitable cut-outs or ports 134 and 136(FIG. 4). Port 134 connects the duct in hollow shaft 126 with the hollowarm 124 and platform 14 while port 136 conmeets the hollow shaft withaduct 138 Within the bearing 4 bracket 128. Bearing bracket duct 138 bymeans of a suitable tube 148 is connected to a properly timed valve 141in a hollow suction chamber 143 which. is-connected by means of a hollowtube 145 to a source of suction, not shown. Valve 141 is connectedthrough pin 147 to a bell crank, a portion 149 of one arm only is shownin FIG. 1. The be'llcr'ank is controlled by a cam, not shown, mountedonshaft 116, to apply suction to, and to disconnect suction fromplatform 14 at proper times. The duct within hollow shaft 126 is closedat both ends by means of suitable plugs 142. Thus suction may be appliedto the holes 218 of platform 14 to retain the leading portion of web Wafter it is fed thereto and during subsequent movement of the platformwith a severed strip S.

To one end of hollow shaft 126 is secured a forked arm 144 which carrieson each fork an adjustable screw 146 and 148, respectively. Screw 148contacts one side of a lug 1511 (FIG. 1A) which is integral with andprojects from the hollow arm 124 while the other side of lug 150 iscontacted by a spring 152 confined between lug 150 and one fork of arm144 and adjustably held in place by means of aforementioned screw 146.The hollow shaft 126 is oscillated by means of a bevel gear 154 securedto it and meshing with a bevel gear 156 mounted on a horizontal shaft158 rotatably supported by suitable bearings in bracket 20.- Shaft 158is actuated by means of an arm 160 fastened thereto. The free end of arm160 by means of an adjustable rod 162 is connected to another arm 164(FIG. 2) loosely supported by a stud shaft 166 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) heldby a bracket 168 mounted on bed plate 40. Thehub of arm 164 is providedwith a cam lever 170 which at its free end carries a cam roller 172engaging with the earn 114 on cam shaft 116. A tension spring 174anchored to a post and attached to arm 164 assures a continuous contactof the cam roller 172 with cam 114 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

From the arrangement described above, it is selfevident that cam 114through cam lever 1'70, arm 164, rod 162 and arm 160 imparts oscillatingmotion to shaft 158 which through bevel gears 156 and 154 transmits thesame to the hollow shaft 126 and forked arm 144 which, in turn, asdescribed above, engages yieldingly with platform carrying hollow arm124.

To the horizontal shaft 158 is secured another arm 1'76 (FIGS. 2 and 3)to the free end of which is pivotally attached a suitably shaped link178 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6). Link 178 at its free end is provided with a slot180 engaging witha pin 182 projecting from and held by one arm of abellcrank lever 184 loosely supported by a stud shaft 185 mounted on abracket 186 fastened to the supporting plate 24. The second arm of saidbell crank lever 184 by means of a twisted link 188 is connected to thefree end of a knife actuating arm 1% which is rotatably supported by astud 192 mounted on the bracket. 20. The hub of the knife actuating arm190 is provided with a flange 1% to which is secured a suitably shapedknife blade 1%. A tension spring 198 (FIG. 3) surrounding stud 192 andconfined between the head of the latter and the front face of the hub ofarm 190 is employed to keep the desired tension between the knife blade196 and the front edge of the web supporting plate 118 which also servesas ledger plate during web cutting operation.

Carried by and projecting from the knife actuating arm 190 is a pin 2%which engages with the forked end of alever 262 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5)mountedon ahorizontal shaft 264 rotatably supported by the bearingbracket 186.

To shaft 294 is also adjustably secured a paster actuating arm 206 towhich is adjustably mounted a paster bar 2138 the free U-shaped endterminating in a suitably shaped paste applicator point 210 (FIG- 5).The U- shaped end of paster bar 288 is so formed as to reach into asuitable paste pot 212 held by a suitable bracket 214 secured to thesupporting plate 24. The paste applicator point 210 is so located andshaped so as to permit it to enter an open slot 216 provided in theforward end of the strip conveyor platform 14 and apply a daub of pasteto the underside of a reinforcing strip when the paster bar 208 israised. During the cutting and daubing operation the hollow platform 14is supplied with suction.

The operation of the reinforcing strip Web feed is as follows: Apredetermined length of reinforcing web W is pulled from the reel R bymeans of the intermittently actuated feed rollers and 12 and the leadingend of said web is advanced over the plate 118 onto the hollow striptransfer platform 14 which at this time dwells at the forward end and inalignment with the web supporting plate 118. During the time the web Wis advanced onto platform 14 no suction is admitted to the platform, butas soon as a predetermined length of web is fed onto it, suction from acontrolled source, through tube 140, duct 126, hollow shaft 138 andhollow arm 124, is admitted to the platform causing the web to be heldfirmly. While the platform 14 dwells during web receiving operation, thecam roller 172 is in contact with the smooth concentric portion 220 ofthe cam 114 (FIG. 2).

As soon as the predetermined length of web W is advanced on the platform14, suction is delivered to the platform to hold the end of the web andimmediately thereafter the cam roller contacts and rolls onto a highspot 222 of cam 114, causing, through arm 164, a slight downward motionof rod 162 and arm 160 and a slight clockwise rotation of shaft 158 andarm 176. Since, as mentioned heretofore, the free end of arm 176 isconnected to one end of the slotted link 178, the latter is moved to theright, causing the end of an adjustable contact screw 224 (FIG. 6)carried by the link and projecting into the slot 180 to engage the pin182 which projects into slot 180 and moves the same and consequently thebell crank lever 184 which holds the pin in a clockwise direction. Aclockwise movement of the bell crank lever 184, of course, effects anupward movement of link 188 and knife actuating arm 190 and a downwardmovement of the knife blade 196 to sever a predetermined length of stripS from the web W with the strip S held through suction by the platform14 as described above.

Since the pin 200 projecting from the upwardly moving knife actuatingarm 190 engages with the forked end of lever 202, it also imparts upwardmovement to lever 202 which, in turn, through shaft 204 and arm 206,transmits upward movement to the paster bar 2198. The upward movement ofthe paster bar 208 causes the paster applicator point 219 to enter slot216 of platform 14 to daub paste on the bottom side of the forward endof the strip S. Thus the paste applying, as well as the cuttingoperation, occurs simultaneously as the cam roller 172 rolls over thehigh spot 222 of cam 114.

It is evident that any motion imparted to the knife actuating arm 190and pastor actuating arm 206 is transmitted through the shaft 158. Sinceshaft 158 carries the bevel gear 156 which meshes with bevel gear 154 onthe hollow shaft 126 to which is secured the forked arm 144,counter-clockwise rotary motion is imparted to the forked arm 144. Sinceforked arm 144 engages with the lug 150 projecting from the platformcarrying hollow arm 124, it follows that arm 124 would also be moved ina counter-clockwise direction. However, during strip delivery as well asduring strip cutting and paste applying operations, an adjustable stopscrew 226 carried by a suitable boss at the bottom portion of the hollowarm 124 is in engagement with a suitable lug 228 secured to supportingplate 24. Therefore, any counter-clockwise motion imparted to the forkedarm 144 on hollow shaft 126, when platform 14 on hollow arm 124 is instrip receiving position, is taken up by the spring 152 by means ofwhich the forked arm engages the upper side of lug 150 of hollow arm124.

As soon as cam roller 172 rolls'oif the high spot 222 of cam 114, theknife blade 196 moves upward and the paster bar 208 moves downwardagain. During the continued downward movement of the cam roller ontolower portions of cam 114, shaft 158 is caused to turn in'acounter-clockwise direction which results in a clockwise movement ofhollow shaft 126 and consequently of the hollow arm 124, until camroller 172 reaches the lowest portion 230 of cam 114, at which point theplatform carrying hollow arm has moved to a position indicated in dottedlines in FIG. 1 in which the strip carrying platform 14 contacts facedown a rolling apron A of a conventional bunch rolling table T of thecigar bunch forming machine.

The rolling table T consists of a hollow chamber 232, whose top surfaceis provided with grooves 234 and the grooves communicate through holes236 with chamber 232. Chamber 232 is connected through air duct 151 andvalve 153 to hollow suction chamber 155 which in turn is connected bymeans of air duct 157 to a suitable source of suction (not shown).Chamber 155 is connected through valve 153 and flexible air hose 163 tobinder transfer Z, shown in FIG. 8. The transfer Z, as is well known inthe art, is employed to deliver cut binders from a source of supply tothe rolling table T. Valve 153 is reciprocated through pin 159 and abell crank, a portion 161 of one arm only of the bell crank being shownin'FIG. 2. The bell crank is actuated by a cam, not shown, mounted onshaft 116. As valve 153 is reciprocated, an aperture 165 is presentedalternately in alignment with duct 151 and air hose 163 at proper timesto transfer suction from the table T to the transfer Z. The rollingapron A, also well known in the art, lies flat over the top surface ofthe rolling table during strip and binder receiving operations. It isprovided with suitably arranged holes 238 aligned with the grooves 234of the rolling table T to apply suction to the underside of the stripand the binder placed on the rolling apron.

In the chamber 232 of the rolling table T, by means of screws 240, isadjustably secured an auxiliary suction chamber 242 mounted with itsopen top side against the bottom side of the top wall of the rollingtable so that some of the holes 236 in grooves 234 are connected to saidauxiliary chamber 242 instead of chamber 232. Chamber 242 by means of asuitable tube 244 is connected with a suitable source of suction whichsupplies suction to the chamber 242 at all times. Chamber 242 is locatedbeneath the area where the strip S is delivered onto rolling apron A.Therefore, as soon as the strip carrying platform 14 contacts the topsurface of the rolling apron -A as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG.1, the suction supply to the hollow arm and platform 14 is shut off andthe strip S is held through suction on apron A coming from the chamber242. At this time, the knife blade 196 is in its upmost position whilethe paster bar 208 is in its lowermost position with its applicatorpoint 210 submerged in paste pot 212. As soon as the strip S isdeposited by the platform 14 onto the apron A, the hollow arm 124 swingsupwardly due to the cam roller 172 rolling up the inclined portion 246of cam 114. When roller 172 reaches the concentric portion 220 of cam114 the platform 14 is in alignment with the web supporting plate 118and ready to receive a new strip. During the upward movement of arm 124and platform 14, the knife 196, of course, moves down a little withoutobstructing the path of the web to be fed onto the platform and thepaster bar 208 moves up to dwell so that its applicator point 210emerges from the paste to drain off the surplus paste.

The platform 14 is inverted (FIG. 1) as it moves through about degreesto the rolling apron to deposit the strip S. Consequently, the daub ofpaste P (FIG. 4) is on top, so it will adhere to the overlying binder B(FIGS. 4 and 8) which is then deposited on the apron by the bindertransfer Z. The motion of the mechanism comprising the conveyor andapplicator platform 14 is timed to move to the rolling apron prior tothe arrival of the binder transfer Z. At this time there is no suctionin the chamber 232 but the chamber 242 underlying the strip S is alwaysunder suction as mentioned above. The binder transfer Z does not initself form a part of this invention and may be of the type constructionshown in the patent to Wheeler No. 2,287,004 dated June 16, 1942. Forthis reason further description of the binder transfer Z is; thoughtunnecessary.

The strip S is firmly united by the paste to the head end of the binderduring bunch rolling operation without shifting or failure of pickup.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the trailing end E of the reinforcing strip Sprojects slightly beyond the trailing end of the binder. A line of pasteG is applied to this end by paste applying device D (FIG. 1) to seal thebunch after rolling, the strip S being wound outside the binder B asillustrated in FIG. 7. Paste applying device D, illustrated in FIG. 1,is substantially the same as the one shown and described in my LettersPatent 2,391,294 issued on December 18, 1945. A continuously rotatingwheel 250 partly submerged in a paste pot 252 supplies paste to asuitable paste applying roller 254 loosely mounted on a shaft 256'adjustably secured to an arm 258 attached to a lever 26% mounted on anoscillating shaft 262 actuated through an arm 264 and linkage 266 by acam operated driving mechanism (not shown).

After the binder B is placed over the strip S on the apron A by thebinder transfer, the arm 26% swings in the direction of the arrow inFIG. 1 and thus brings the paste: applying roller 254 in contact withthe end portion E of the strip S and applies a line of paste in the samemanner as disclosed in the above mentioned patent 2,391,294. The arm26%, of course, swings back again to permit the bunch forming operationwhich occurs immediately after the retreat of the paste roller 254.

The elongated slots 26 in the supporting plate 24 and the elongated slot121 in the platform supporting flange 122 of hollow arm 124 permit theentire reinforcing stripapplicator apparatus to be adjusted and shiftedto place the strip in any desired position on the rolling apron. Thisadjustability provides effective positioning of the strip S with variousshapes and sizes of cigar bind-er. The length of the reinforcing strip,which varies with the diameter at the cigar head, can be regulated byshifting the. crank pin 110 in the slot 112 of cam 114. The top wall ofthe rolling table chamber 232 is provided with a number of additionalthreaded holes 268 (FIG. 3) permitting the auxiliary suction chamber 242to be shifted for varied placement of the strip on the rolling apron.

't is evident that the device may be employed to place the reinforcingstrip on top of the binder as shown in FIG. 4A. However, this results inthe strip being located within the binder which I believe to be lessdesirable although it may be preferred by some. If desired, the pastewould then be placed on the top of the strip, as shown in FIG. 5A,instead of the bottom as illustrated in FIG. 5. In any case, I know ofno device that will with sligdlt modification as in timing apply thestrip on either selected side of the binder.

Reference to FIG. 5A shows the arrangement for applying the paste to aspot on the upper surface of the reinforcing strip S while the striprests on the carrier platform 14. The applicator 217 is secured throughan arm 207 and a bearing to a shaft 2% which is rotatably mounted in abracket 187 which is secured to supporting plate 24. The shaft 2tl5 maybe rotated by a conventional linkage under control of a cam arranged toimpart the required motion.

As seen in FIG. 4A, the reinforcing strip is applied to the uppersurface of the binder Bl. Due to the inversion of reinforcing strip Sduring the transfer operation, the daub of paste which was applied tothe upper surface of strip S now is sandwiched in a small localized areaP1 between the strip S and the binder B1. The paster mechanism D ofFIGS, 1 and 4 operates in the manner heretofore described. The strip Sis now shortened to permit the application of the paste to the usualarea of the binder, which is now the exterior element of the pair topermit the pasting of the binder upon itself at the finish of therolling operation with the reinforcing strip S concealed within and onthe head end of the bunch.

I claim:

ll. A device suitable for attachment to a cigar machine, a source ofcontinuous reinforcing. strip, means to advance a predetermined amountof strip from said source, a member to support and grip suchpredetermined strip, severing means to sever such predetermined stripfrom said source, said supporting and gripping member being formed toexpose a surface of said strip, a paster movable to apply paste to saidexposed surface, mechanism operable to move said supporting and grippingmember to a predetermined position overlying a rolling table to depositsaid strip on said table with said adhesive on the side away from saidtable, and further means to position a cigar binder on said rollingtable so that its head end overlies said strip and adheres thereto.

2. In a device securable to and operable from a cigar machine having arolling station, a source of reinforcing strip, feed means to deliver astrip from said source, a platform positioned to receive said strip fromsaid feed means, suctional gripping means on said platfrom to retainsaid strip thereon, said platform having a slot formed therein, adhesiveapplying means operative to apply adhesive through said slot to saidstrip, and transfer means supporting said platform and movable to invertsaid platform to apply and deliver'said strip to said rolling stationwith said adhesive on the top side of said strip at said rollingstation.

3. In a device securable toand operable from a cigar machine having arolling station, a source of reinforcing strip, feed means to deliverastrip from said source, a platform positioned to receive said stripfrom said feed means, gripping means on said platform to retain saidstrip thereon, said platform having a slot formed therein, adhesiveapplying means operative to apply adhesive through said slot to saidstrip, and transfer means'supporting said platform and movable to invertsaid platform to apply and deliver said strip 'to said rolling stationwith said adhesive on the top side of said strip at said rollingstation.

4. In a cigar machine having a rolling apron to which a cigar binder isapplied for rolling, a transfer adaptable to support a reinforcing stripfor transfer to said rolling apron, and a paster constructed'andarranged to apply paste to one side of said reinforcing strip whensupported by said transfer, means for actuating said transfer so as todeposit said reinforcing strip on said rolling apron with its side towhich said paste has been applied uppermost, a second transfer adaptableto support-a binder, and means for actuating" said second transferwhereby said cigar binder when applied to said rolling apron willoverlie and adhere to said strip.

5. In combination with a rolling table, a transfer mechanism havingmeans to grip a portion of a reinforcing strip fed thereto, a pastermovable to apply adhesive to one side of said strip while it is held bysaid transfer mechanism,-means to move said transfer mechanism to saidtable to deposit said strip thereon with its unpasted side adjacent saidtable, and a binder transfer operative in timed relation with saidtransfer mechanism to deposit the binder on said rolling table so thatsaid binder overlies said strip and said adhesive binds said strip tosaid binder to prevent relative movement between said strip and saidbinder during the rolling operation.

6. In a cigar machine, a rolling table having a foraminous-top and anunderlying vacuum cavity, a binder transfer movable to overlie saidtable, a vacuum box within said cavity and in communication with aportion of said,

9 'foraminous'top, a conveyor having means to suctionally support aproportionately large portion of the area of one side of a reinforcingstrip, an adhesive applier movable to apply adhesive to an unsupportedportion of the supported side of a strip supported by said conveyor,said conveyor being movableto a position overlying said foraminous topand said 'vacuum' boX'with-said side of said strip on said conveyorhaving said adhesive being distant from said table '-top,"means' 'to'release said suctional gripping means on said conveyor, saidbinder-transfer operative to place a binder on-saidmo'lling table-and ontop of saidreinforc- 'ing strip, "and meanstocontinuously apply suctionto said vacuum box,'said suction cavity being intermittently suppliedwith 'suctionwhen said binder transfer overlies said table and saidreinforcing-strip.

7. A device substantially as set forth in claim 6, further characterizedinhaving means for adjusting the position of said'vacuum box within saidcavity to-a selected position and means forselectively adjustingsaidconveyor to move to-saidselected position to overlie said foraminous topand said adjustable box.

' 8. The combination with a cigar machine having a roll-'=ingtable:and"a transfer mechanism to cyclically deliver a eigar'binderto said rolling table, ofa transfer operatively timed to deliver areinforcing web to said rolling .t2.bl6-jll$t priorto the delivery of abinder thereto, said transfer being characterized by grippingmeansadapted to "engage amajorzportion of one side only of saidreinforc- 1 ing web, saidxtransferrbeing formed to expose a portion .ofsaid engaged side and :adapted to deposit the other xsideofsaid web onsaid-rollingtable,anda paster device adapted-to apply;an adhesive on theexposedportion of said one side prior tovits said delivery, whereby saidreinforcing .stripmay be applied to said rolling table with a -:daub ofadhesive thereon on the side away from said table 1 so that said webwilladhere to a binder subsequently deposited thereon by said bindertransfer.

,9. In combination with a cigar machine, a transfer applicatorplatform,means to feed a reinforcing web to said platform, said platform havingsuctional means to retain said reinforcingweb thereon, said platformhaving formed therein a slot exposing aportion of said web suctionallyheldthereon,-a paster mechanism constructed and arrangedito entersaidslot to place a daub of paste on ;said exposedportion of one side ofsaid reinforcing web, ;;means for. swingingsaid. applicator platformfrom said web receiving position ,to aa depositing position, asucitional combining platform located at said depositing position inopposedspaced relationship to said applicator platform at saiddepositing position, means to relieve suction 1 on said applicatorplatform so said reinforcing web will be suctionally retained on saidcombining platform and a binder transfer movable to transfer a binder tosaid combining platform to overlie said reinforcing strip and to be-adhesively attached to said underlying reinforcing strip 7 by said daubof paste.

, -cally, transporting the reinforcing strip to a position over- -1yinga'rolling table and depositing it thereon so that the side having thepaste thereon faces upwardly, mechanically overlying the reinforcingstrip with the head end of a binder in a predetermined relationship,maintaining said predetermined relationship by said daub of. adhesive,said binder being positionedthereon so as to leave a small portion ofsaid strip extending beyond the last-to-berolled edge of said binder,applyinga further daub of adhesive to said extending portion of saidstrip, and mechanically rolling said binder, and said adherent stripinto a cigar bunch, said first-mentioned daub of adhesive maintainingsaid strip in, proper relation to said binder during the rollingoperation and said last-described daub of adhesive-finally-securing'saidreinforcingstrip upon said bunch at the head end thereof.

l1. A mechanical method of applying a reinforcing strip to the head endof a cigar bunch comprising suctionally supporting the reinforcing stripon one side, simultaneously applying a daub of adhesive to a portion ofsaid one side, transporting said reinforcing strip to a positionoverlying a rolling platform and depositing it thereon with its pastedside uppermost, overlying said strip withthe head end of a binder sothat said adhesive unites said strip to said binder and'rolling saidbinder with said adhering reinforcing strip into a cigar bunch.

.12. The method substantially as set forth in claim 11 and furthercharacterized in that said binder is placed to overlie only a majorportion of said strip leaving an extending portion beyond'the lastrolled edge of said binder, and applying a daub of paste to saidextending portion of said reinforcing strip so that when said binder isrolled upon itself with said adherent reinforcing strip saidlastdescribed daub of paste will unite said strip upon itself to firmlysecure said reinforced cigar bunch.

'13. In combination with a cigar machine, a transfer applicatorplatform, means to feed a leading portion of reinforcing web to saidplatform, means to sever said predetermined portion on said platform,said platform having suctional means to retain said portion of webthereon, said platform having formed therein a slot exposing a portionof said web suctionally held thereon, a paster mechanism constructed andarranged to enter said slot to place a daub of paste on said exposedportion of one side of said web suctionally retained on said platform,said applicator platform being movable to swing from said web receivingposition to a depositing position, a rolling table underlying saiddepositing position, said applicator platform when in said depositingposition being in opposed spaced relationship to said rolling table,said rolling table having a suction chamber, a relatively small suctionbox located within said suction chamber, said suction box underlyingsaid applicator platform in. said depositing position, means to applysuction to said suction box, mechanism to relieve suction on saidconveyor platform so said portion of web will be suctionally retained onsaid rolling table, and a binder transfer movable to transfer a binderto said rolling table.

14. A device substantially as set forth in claim 13, furthercharacterized by a unitary drive means connected to said cigar machineto operate said feed means, said severing means, said paster and saidconveyor platform.

15. A cigar machine having a rolling apron and means for transportingthereto and depositing thereon a cigar binder'for rolling, means tosupport a reinforcing strip in a transfer mechanism for transferringsaid reinforcing strip to said apron, means to apply paste to one sideof said reinforcing strip while supported in said transfer mechanism,said mechanism including other means to deposit said reinforcing stripon its opposite side on said rolling apron with said binder when appliedoverlying and adhering to said strip.

16. The combination with a binder feed of a reinforcing strip feed,separate from said binder feed, a paster operatively arranged to place adaub of paste on one side of a strip from said strip feed, a cigar bunchrolling table, means for applying said strip with said daub uppermost onsaid table, and means, associated with said binder feed, for deliveringa binder onto said strip with said daub of paste adherent therebetween.

17. In a cigar manufacturing machine, the combination with a cigar bunchrolling station, a binder feed in which position said reinforcing webprovides a reinforcement for said binder web in a relatively smalllocalized area near the head end of said binder, said daub of pastebeing sandwiched between said binder and said reinforcing strip tomaintain said predetermined relative position of said superimposedbinder and reinforcing strip.

18. A device as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by a movingmember, said applicator platform being adujstably secured selectively tosaid moving member to move therewith to a selected depositing positionwith respect to said combining platform and said binder.

19. In a cigar manufacturing machine, the combination with a mechanicalbinder feed of a mech-anical reinforcing strip feed, separate from saidbinder feed, said reinforcing strip being a relatively narrow elongatedstrip adapted for'application to the head end of a cigar bunch toreinforce the bunch, a mechanical paster operatively arranged to place adaub of paste on one side of a strip from said strip feed, a cigar bunchrolling table, mechanism to operate said feeds, after said placing ofsaid daub of paste, to associate said binder and said strip with saiddaub of paste adherent therebetween on said table and means in saidtable for rolling said reinforcing strip and said binder together toform a cigar bunch, with said strip localized in a single position atthe head end of said bunch.

20. In a cigar manufacturing machine, the combination with a binder feedof a reinforcing strip feed, separate from said binder feed, a pasteroperatively arranged to place a daub of paste on one side of a stripfrom said strip feed, a cigar bunch rolling table and mechanism tooperate said feeds, to deliver said strip so daubed and said binder onsaid table, with said daub of paste adherent therebetween.

21. A mechanical method of applying a reinforcing strip to the head endof a cigar bunch comprising the following steps in the named order: 1,supporting the reinforcing strip on one of its sides; 2, applying a daubof adhesive to a portion of said one side when so supported; 3,transporting said reinforcing strip to a position overlying a rollingplatform; 4, depositing said reinforcing strip with its pasted sideuppermost on said rolling platform; 5, depositing a binder on said stripin such manner that the head end of the binder overlies said strip, sothat said adhesive unites said strip to said binder; and 6,

rolling said binder with said adhering reinforcing strip into a cigarbunch.

22. The method substantially as set forth in claim 21 and furthercharacterized in that said binder is placed to overlie only a majorportion of said strip leaving an extending portion beyond the lastrolled edge of said binder, and applying a daub of paste to saidextending portion of said reinforcing strip, so that when said binder isrolled upon itself with said adherent reinforcing strip, said lastmentioned daub of paste will unite said strip upon itself to firmlysecure said reinforced cigar bunch.

23. The mechanical method of rolling a cigar bunch, while simultaneouslyincorporating a relatively narrow reinforcing strip in the head endthereof, which method comprises the following steps in the followingorder: 1, applying a daub of paste to one side of a relatively narrowreinforcing strip; 2, mechanically transporting said strip to a positionoverlying a cigar bunch rolling surface and depositing it thereon withits pasted side uppermost; 3, mechanically transporting a binder tooverlie the reinforcing strip in a predetermined relationship; 4,maintaining said predetermined relationship by said daub of pastebetween said reinforcing strip and the outside of said binder; 5,applying adhesive to an exposed end of said strip; and 6, rolling saidbinder and said strip into a cigar bunch in which said strip is securelyaflixed to the head end of said bunch, prior to the subsequentapplication of a wrapper thereto.

24. A cigar bunch manufacturing machine having in combination a cigarbunch rolling table, a mechanical binder feed, adapted to feed a cigarbinder mechanically to said table, a separate mechanical feed deviceadapt-able to feed a relatively narrow reinforcing strip onto said tableto contact said binder, so as to form a relatively small reinforcedlocalized area at the head of said binder, a paster adapted to apply asubstance to one side of said strip so it may adhere to said binder uponcontact therewith, mechanical means for actuating said paster to applysaid substance prior to the delivery of said reinforcing strip to saidtable, and means in said table for rolling said binder with saidreinforcing strip adherent thereto into a cigar bunch, so as to form arelatively small reinforced localized area at the head end of the bunchonly.

25. A .cigar machine having a cigar bunch rolling surface and a firstand a second mechanical feed for feeding a cigar bunch binder and anarrow elongated cigar bunch binder reinforcing strip, respectively,onto said surface separately at different times, suction means forretaining said binder and s-aid strip in superposed position on saidrolling surface, mechanical means for rolling said binder and said striptogether simultaneously into a cigar bunch having said strip localizedin a position near one end only of said bunch, and other means forapplying holding means to connect said strip and binder for preventingdislodgrnent of said strip from said position during said rolling.

26. The method of manufacturing an improved cigar whichcomprises placinga narrow strip of a reinforcing sheet in a predetermined position on therolling apron of a cigar-making machine, laying a binder over said stripso that the end portion of said strip away from the start of rollingprojects beyond said binder, rolling said binder and said stripsimultaneously around a mass of filler tobacco by the operation of saidrolling apron thereby forming a bunch with said strip spiralled at thehead end only of said bunch, and wherein dabs of adhesive are applied onsaid end portion and the opposite end portion of said strip on the faceover which said binder is laid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 304,582 9/1884Thoss 131-58 325,062 8/1885 Doetsch 131-58 607,051 7/1898 Keyes 131-35865,012 9/1907 Butler 131-58 867,825 10/ 1907 Moesinger 131-36 1,058,4404/1913 Kellner 156-556 1,088,533 2/1914 Cameron 131-61 1,645,012 10/1927Ki-tchel 131-36 X 1,969,834 8/1934 Berriman 131-11 1,995,069 3/1935 Lim131-58 2,167,170 7/1939 Burns 131-76 X 2,178,820 11/1939 Todorolf 131-152,215,461 9/1940 Clausen 131-35 2,226,234 12/1940 Warren 131-35 X2,316,784 4/1943 Gladeck 131-34 2,579,094 12/1951 Rooksby 270-58 X2,837,158 6/1958 Wheeler 131-34 X 2,914,071 11/1959 Straus 131-112,958,365 11/ 1960 Molins 131-95 X 3,036,579 5/1962 Godfrey. 131-29FOREIGN PATENTS Ad. 29,432 4/ 1925 France,

(1st Add. of 545,132)

144,260 11/ 1951 Australia.

299,282 7/ 1917 Germany.

742,561 12/ 1943 Germany.

234,692 6/1925 Great Britain.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

MELVIND. REIN, ABRAHAM G. STONE, Examiners.

26. THE METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN IMPROVED CIGAR WHICH COMPRISESPLACING A NARROW STRIP OF A REINFORCING SHEET IN A PREDETERMINEDPOSITION ON THE ROLLING APRON OF A CIGAR-MAKING MACHINE, LAYING A BINDEROVER SAID STRIP SO THAT THE END PORTION OF SAID STRIP AWAY FROM THESTART OF ROLLING PROJECTS BEYOND SAID BINDER, ROLLING SAID BINDER ANDSAID STRIP SIMULTANEOUSLY AROUND A MASS OF FILLER TOBACCO BY THEOPERATION OF SAID ROLLING APRON THEREBY FORMING A BUNCH WITH SAID STRIPSPIRALLED AT THE HEAD END ONLY OF SAID BUNCH, AND WHEREIN DABS OFADHESIVE ARE APPLIED ON SAID END PORTION AND THE OPPOSITE END PORTION OFSAID STRIP ON THE FACE OVER WHICH SAID BINDER IS LAID.